NO GOING BACK

Ramón de Ocampo's narrative momentum captures the dramatic 72 hours experienced by 17-year-old Antonio after he is released from a youth detention center. As Antonio reunites with friends and family, de Ocampo captures his anger at his wrongful arrest for robbery and the painful relationships that led to it. De Ocampo also expresses Antonio's remorse and desire to follow the rules of his parole and to make amends with his mother and Maya, his best friend. As Antonio pursues a secret plan to recover the money that was stolen and make everything right, de Ocampo ramps up the pacing and gives him a tone of desperation. De Ocampo's depiction of Antonio's wise, caring stepfather occasionally provides some relief from the story's tension. S.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2024]